Jig for boring finger holes in bowling balls



W. L. NEFF March 31, 1959 JIG FOR BORING FINGERYHOLES IN BOWLING BALLSFiled Feb. 18, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. WI LBER L NEFF AT TORNEKSW. L. NEFF JIG FOR BORING FINGER HOLES IN BOWLING BALLS 2 Sheets-Sheet2v Filed Feb. 18, 1957 ATTORNEYS United JIG FOR BORING FINGER HOLES INBOWLING BALLS Wilber L. Neif, Eugene, Oreg.

Application February 18, 1957, Serial No. 640,646

6 Claims. (Cl. 77-63) supporting cradles mounted in such frame topositions indicated by scales carried by the device.

The jig of the present invention is particularly adapted for use withthe finger hole position determining device disclosed and claimed in mycopending application Serial No. 640,716, filed February 18, 1957. Inthe jig of the present invention, the ball is supported in a firstcradle which is pivotally supported in another cradle for movement aboutan axis through the center of the ball and such other cradle issupported in the frame of the device for movement about an axis at rightangles to the first mentioned axis and tangent to a ball at itslowermost point. Scales are provided for indicating the position of suchcradles as a result of their pivotal movement about the axis referred toand the data for adjusting the cradles relative to such scales isobtained from the device of my copending application, above referred to.The cradles of the present device are originally brought to zeroposition in which the two cradles are upright when the device is restingupon a horizontal surface and the ball is then placed in and clamped inthe first cradle in a predetermined position, determined by markings onthe ball. That is to say, a zero point indicated by such markings isplaced uppermost and the ball aligned by known markings thereon with aselected axis thereof parallel to the pivotal axis of the second cradlereferred to. With the ball in the position just discussed, the jig isaligned with the drill of a drill press so that the zero point. abovereferred to, is below and in axial alignment with the spindle of thedrill press. This position of the device is the same for finger holeboring operations on all bowling balls and the device may be permanentlysecured to a drill press table in such position. By pivoting the twocradles about their axes in accordance with data obtained from thefinger hole position determining device of my copending application, andselecting the proper sized drill in accordance with dataobtained fromfinger size measuring gauges, each separate hole may be drilled in thebowling ball at the correct angle and position with respect topredetermined axes of the ball.

An obiect of the invention is therefore to provide an improved jig forenabling holes to be bored in bowling balls at predetermined angles andpositions with respect to predetermined axes of the ball.

Another object of the invention is to provide an imprpved device whichenables all of the finger holes in bowling balls to be bored in suchballs at predetermined positions and angles without shifting the base ofthe de vice relative to the axis of the spindle of a drill press.

'ice

in the device in a predetermined position and thereafter pivoted abouttwo spaced axes at right angles to each other to enable such fingerholes to be bored in proper angular relation to each other and so as tobe properly spaced from each other.

A further object of the invention is to provide a jig for holding abowling ball while boring finger holes therein which are correctlyspaced fromeach other and which bear an angular relation to each otherand to selected axes of the ball, such that the axes of such holes allpass through a laterally extending central axis of the ball and throughpoints opposite such holes on a great circle of the ball which isperpendicular to such lateral extending axis of the ball.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in thefollowing description of the preferred embodiment thereof shown in theattached drawings of which:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view showing the device of the present inventionmounted in a drill press and having a bowling ball secured therein;

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the device of Fig. 1 with the bowling ballomitted;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical cross section showing the structure ofoneof the pivotal mountings for the cradles of the device; I

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the outline of a bowling ball inelevation and indicating the position and angular relation of fingerholes in such bowling ball in accordance with the present invention andalso indicating the relative position of finger engaging surfaces offinger receiving elements of the cooperating device, referred to above,for determining the correct position and angle of the finger holes;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 taken at right angles to that of Fig.4;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the outline of a bowling ballin plan and indicating the measurements obtained by the determiningdevice referred to above; and

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 indicating the manner in which thedata obtained from such determining device is employed in the jig of thepresent invention to locate the finger holes in a bowling ball.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the jig of the presentinvention includes a frame 10 of open top construction having a bottomwall 12, side walls 14, a

. front wall 16 and a rear wall 18. The front and rear walls 16 and 18have aligned apertures 20 therein, each of which receive the shank of aflanged pivot member 22, the details of which are shown in Fig. 3. Suchpivot member is held in position by a screw 26 extending eccentricallythrough the pivot member 22 and a flanged nut 28 having a circular bodyportion 29 fitting Within a circular counter bore in the pivot member22. The eccentric position of the screw 26 prevents the nut 28 fromturning on the screw so that the screw 26 must be turned relative to thepivot member 22 and nut 28 to separate the nut 28 from the pivot member22. The pivot members 22 are employed to pivotally support a firstcradle 30 in the frame 10. The cradle 30 has side Walls 32 and 33, afront wall 36 and rear wall 38, and has an open top and an open bottom.The shank of the pivot mernbers 22 are'also received in alignedapertures 40 in the front and rear walls 36 and 38 of the cradle 30. The

cradle 30 is thus pivotally supported in the frame 10 about a horizontalaxis through thecenter of the pivot 5 members 22. The front wall 36 ofthe cradle 30 is adja Patented Mar. 31 1959 cent the front wall 160i.the frame and is held in such position by the corresponding pivotme'mber22; screw 26 and nut 28, a washer 42 being positioned between the walls36 and 16, as shown most clearly in Fig. 3. Similarly; the rear wall 384of the cradle 30 isadjacent the rear wall 18 of the. frameloxand'spa'ced therefrom by a washer 42; The cradle 30 is:sutlicientlysmaller in lateral dimension that it may pivot about theaxis definediby'the centers of the pivot members 22.

The rear wall 38 of the cradle 36 extends upwardly and has an arcuateupper edge concentric with the axis through the pivot members 22. Suchupper edge is providedwith a scale 44 preferably graduated each way froma zero central position in thirty-seconds of an inch. The-radius of theedge containing" the scale 44 isprefa erablymade equal to the diameterof the bowling ball into which finger holes'areto be bored. The rearwall 18 of the frame 10 also extends upwardly'and at its upper endterminates in an index point 46. The index point 46 registers with thezero graduation of the scale 44 when the cradle 30 is in its uprightposition and the base of the frame 10 is on a horizontal surface. Therear wall 18 of the frame 10 has an aperture 48 therein which receives aheaded screw 50 which also passes through an arcuate slot 52 in the rearWall 38 of the cradle 30. The slot 52 is concentric with the axis of thepivot members'22t The screw 50 also receives a washer 54 and thumb nut56 and it will be apparent that the cradle 30 may be pivoted about theaxes of the pivot members 26 and held in adjusted position bytighteningzthe thumb nut 56 on the screw 50.

The side walls32 and 34 of the cradle 30 have aligned apertures 58therein which receive the shanks of pivot members 59 which are similarto the pivot members 22. The pivot members 59 form a pivotal support fora second cradle 60, such second cradle having side walls 62 and 64 alsohaving aligned apertures 66 therein. The apertures 66 also receive theshanks of pivot members 59 and such pivot members 59 are held inposition by nuts 28 and screws 26 with washers 42 between the adjacentside walls of the cradle 30 and the cradle 60. The pivotal axis throughthe pivot members 59 is at right angles to the pivotal axis through thepivotal members 22 and is spaced above such axis through the pivotmembers 22 a distance equal to the'radius of the bowling ball in whichfinger holes are-to be: bored.

The side wall 64 of the second cradle 60 extends upwardly and has anarcuate upper edge provided with a scale: 68, the edge having the scale68 being concentric withthe pivotalaxis of the'cradle60, he, the axisthrough the centers of the pivot members 59. Thescale 68 pref erablyhas'a radius'equal to the radius of the bowling ball referred toand'preferably'isgraduated each way from a central zero position in'thirty-seconds of an-inch. The side wall 34 of the cradle 30also'extendsupwardly and terminates in an index point 70 adjacent the scale 68. Theindex point 70 is in registry with thezero point, just'mentioned, whenthe cradle 60 is upfight, assuming that the cradle-30 is also'upright.Theside wall 34' of the cradle 30 has an aperture 72'just-below'theindex point 7'0, which apertures receives a headed screw" 74' whichvalso extends through an arcuate'slot't76 in the sidewall 64 of thecradle 60 andhas'positioned' thereon a washer 78 and thumb nut'80l Theslot 76. is? also concentric: with. the axis through the: pivot. members59. The cradle 60 is braced-by front and rearf'wa'lls81 which'are lowerthan centers of the pivotimember-559; I't will'be apparent that thecradle 60 may; berheld :in: adjusted position by tightening the thumbnut: 80 01"! the screw 74: V

A bowling? ball 82 (Fig: 1)' may-'be 'secured inpo'sition in the cradle60, which cradle has a bottom wall 84 (Fig. 2) which has therein" an"enlarged circular aperture 86 for receiving the lower portion of abowling ball. The cradle 60 is also provided with a removable clampingplate 88 which has reinforcing flanges 90 along its front and rear edgesand an enlarged circular aperture 92 registering with the aperture 86 inthe bottom wall 84 of the cradle. The side wall 64 of the cradle 60 hasa pair of lugs 94 bent inwardly from such wall and engaging over therear corners of the top of the plate 88 when such plate is in ballclamping position.- The side wall 62 of the cradle 60 has an upstandingthreaded stud 96 and the plate 88 has a notch 98in its frontedge, whichnotch is adapted to fit aroundthestud 96.

The bowling ball SZ'mayb'e positioned in the cradle 60 with its lowerportion engaging in the aperture 86. The plate 88 may then have its rearcorners clipped under the: lugs- 94-01 the cradle 60 so that-themotch981receives the threaded stud: 96 of t-heecradl'e 60 and the upperportion of the ball isreceived inthe" aperture 92. A" washer 100 andthumb nut 102may then be threadcdo'n the Stud 96 to clamp theupperplate'in position?v The notches104 in theclamping plate 88 allowthe pla'tezt'o pass the head of the screw 74- when: the cradle 60ispivoted with respect to the cradle30: The ballh82 is held: in the.cradle 60 so that the pivotalraxis ofasuch':

cradle through the pivot members-59 passes through the center of theball and such that theaxisof the cradle 39 through thepivot members22 istangent to thelower most point of the ball.

After the bowling ball has been secured in proper posi tionin the cradle60 and clamp thereinvby theplate-88 andithumb nut 102, the jig of thepresentinvention may be mounted in a predetermined position onhthe'table: 1050f a drill press having a chuck 186 for receiving a' drill108.Alternately, the frame 10 of the device" may be permanently mounted onthe table 105. If it is desired to remove the jig from the table 105between boring op-' erations; the table may have a giude partiallys'ur-' rounding the frame 10 in order that such'framemayalways bepositioned in the same place on the table'105m In-operation of thedevice, the two cradles 30 and 6fl'are' brought: to their zero or levelpositions in which both cradles 30" and 60'are upright when the lowersurface'of the base 10 is horizontal and in which the index points46'and 70'are at the zero positions on their scales 44 and 68,respectively. The'bowling ball 82 is then placed lathe-cradle 60 andclamped'in p'ositionby theplate 88 and-thumb nut-102. New bowling ballscontain marli ingsthereon indicatinga ce'ntralpoint about which the:finger holes should-be bored as well as-the direction in which the ballshould roll for best-balance; Thecentralzpoint. of the ball, referredto, is positioned directlybelow the drill 108': when the cradles 30 and60 are in zero: position. The two cradles'are then pivotedabout' their:axes to set the sacles 44 and 48 relative tothe indexpoints 40 =and 70,respectively, for a finger hole to be bored in'ac-' cordance with dataobtained from a finger hole positioning; device of the type mentionedabove. The cradles are then clamped in-position by'the thumb nuts56' and80 and a hole bored with the proper size drill to the p'roper depth.This operation is repeated for each hole tobe bored. The'jig may beemployed to bore 'fin ger holes' for bowlers whov use either theright orleft handgun one-ortwo. fingers in addition to thethumb. For azrightihanded bowler using the thumb and the second-andthird fingers, theposition and angle-of the hole- 112 for the thumb'is indicated indotted'lines in the diagrammatic elevations of the ball in Figs. 4 and5. The holes 114 and 116 for the second and third finger are'similarlyindicated inidotted lines, the position: of the various holes in.1thesurface :of the ballbeing shown-by circles in the dia'gra'mkmaticplan-view' of the ball in Fig. 7.

It will be noted from Fig. 5" that the central axes-1'12? 114' and 116,"respectively, of thehole's 112, 114 and" ara e 116 pass through thecentral axis 59" of. the ball, which axis 59' corresponds to the axisthrough the pivot members 59 of Figs. 1 and 2. The central axesv oftheholes also pass through points 118, 120 and 122, respectively, in agreat circle of theball perpendicular to the axis 59' of Fig. 5, suchgreat circle being the same as the outline 82 of the ball in Fig. 5. Thepoints 118, 120 and 122 are approximately diametrically opposite theirrespective holes 112, 114 and 116. The axis of the pivot members 22passes through such points respectively and is tangent to the greatcircle just mentioned when the jig is positioned to bore each of theholes 112, 114 and 116. It will be apparent that in the jig of thepresent invention,

the angles of the holes relative to the axes of the ball are determinedby the jig itself when the location of the holes on the surface of theball are determined and set on the scales 44 and 68 of Figs. 1 and 2. Toset the cradles with reference to the scales 44 and 68, it is necessaryto know the distances G, H, I, J and K of Fig. 7. Such distances aremeasured along great circles of the ball at right angles to each other,one of such great circles being through the dotted line 126 containingthe arrow 128 and this being the same great circle containing the points118, 120 and 122 of Fig. 5.

The data for determining the distances G to K inclusive of Fig. 7 isobtained by the finger hole position determining device of the copendingapplication, referred to above. Such device contains finger receivingelements and such elements have upper end portions terminatingsubstantially in a spherical surface corresponding to that of a bowlingball and the upper ends of such finger receiving elements 130, 132 and134 for the thumb, second finger and third finger of the right hand of abowler are diagrammatically shown in Fig. 6. The finger receivingelements are each pivoted about two different axes. One of such pivotalaxes corresponds to the axis 59 of Figs. 4 and 5. The other pivotal axesfor the thumb receiving element 130 and finger receiving elements 132and 134 for the second and third fingers are approximately tangent tothe great circle of Fig. 5 at the points 118, 120 and 122, respectively.The thumb receiving element has a rear wall 136 and a side wall 138providing thumb engaging surfaces at right angles to each other andparallel to the central axis 112 (Fig. 5) of the thumb hole 112 to bebored, the outline of the thumb being indicated by the circle 140 ofFig. 6. The finger receiving element 132 has a front wall 142 and a sidewall 144 providing finger engaging surfaces at right angles to eachother and parallel to the axis 114' of the finger hole 114 to be boredfor the second finger, the outline of such second finger being indicatedby the circle 146 of Fig. 6. Similarly, the finger receiving element 134has a front wall 148 and a side wall 150 providing finger engagingsurfaces at right angles to each other and parallel to the axis 116' ofthe finger hole 116 to be bored for the third finger, the outline ofsuch third finger being indicated by the circle 152 of Fig. 6. The sizesof the holes to be bored for the thumb and fingers are first determinedby known types of finger gages and the radiuses of such holes recorded.The circles 140, 146 and 152 are also intended to represent the size ofthe holes for the thumb and fingers as determined by such gages;

The arrow 128 of Fig. 6 corresponds to the arrow 128 of Fig. 7 and thefinger receiving element 132 for the second finger is first aligned withsuch arrow so that the distance A of Fig. 6 measured laterally betweensuch arrow and the finger engaging surface of the side wall 144 of suchfinger receiving element is equal to the radius of the hole to be boredfor the second finger. The hand of the bowler is then positioned withthe thumb and second and third fingers in the corresponding fingerreceiving elements and with the forearm aligned with the arrow 128, thevarious finger receiving elements being adjusted about their two pivotalaxis until a comfortable "6 fit is obtained withv the thumbandfingers-of the-bowler in engagement with the finger engaging surfaces ofthe finger receiving elements. In Fig. 4, the'solidline 138' correspondsto-the thumb engaging surface of the side wall 138 of the thumbreceiving element 130, the solid line 144' corresponds to the fingerengaging surface of the side wall 144 of the finger receiving element132 and the solid line 150' corresponds to the finger engaging surfaceof the side wall 150 of the finger receiving element 134. Similarly inFig. 5, the solid line 136' corresponds to the thumb receiving surfaceof the rear wall 136 of the thumb receiving element 130, the solid line142 corresponds to the finger engaging surface of the side wall 142 ofthe finger receiving element 132 and the solid line 148' corresponds tothe finger engaging surface of the side wall 148 of the finger receivingcles ment 134. 4

As stated above, the distance A of Fig. 6 is set and maintained equal tothe radius of the hole to bebored for the second finger, which is theradius of the circle 146. The distance B is the distance in a directionopposite the arrow 128 between the finger engaging surface of the frontwall 142 of the finger receiving element 132 and finger engaging surfaceof the front wall 148 of the finger receiving element 134, such surfaceof the finger receiving element 134 for the third finger always beingset and maintained at a zero position corresponding to an arbitrary baseline 154 so far as motion of such element parallel to the arrow 128 isconcerned. The. dis.- tance C is the lateral distancebetween the fingerengag ing surface of the side wall 150 of the finger receiving element132 and the arrow 128. Distance D is the distance in the direction ofthe arrow 128 between'the finger engaging surface of the rear wall 136of the thumb receiving element and another arbitrary base line 156. Thedistance E is the lateral distance between the arrow 128 and the fingerengaging surface of the side wall 138 of the thumb receiving element130. The dis: tance F is the distance between the base line 154 and thebase line 156. This distance is an arbitrary design factor in each-gaugefor determining the position of finger holes and is known for each suchgauge.

In the diagrammatic plan view of the upper portion of the bowling ballof Fig. 7 with the holes 112, 114 and 116 drilled therein, the distanceG is measured in a di-' rection opposite to that of the arrow 128 fromthe zero point of the ball referred to above and is equal toone half ofthe distance between the centers of the circles 146 and 140 of Fig. 6measured in the direction of the arrow 128. This distance is determinedby taking one half of the sum found by adding the distances B, D and Fof Fig. 6 and the radiuses of thecircles 140 and 14 16 of Fig. 6. Insetting the jig of the present invention to bore the hole 114, thecradle 30 is maintained in its zero position as the hole 114 is alwayscentered with respect to the arrow 128. The cradle 60 is pivotedforwardly to set the distance G on the scale 68 and the hole 114 is thendrilled by employing the correct size drill 108 for the hole for thesecond finger. To drill the hole 112 for the thumb, the cradle 60 isthen pivoted rearwardly to set the distance H on the scale 68. Thisdistance is always made equal to the distance 6. The cradle 30 is thenpivoted to set the distance I on the scale 44. This distance isdetermined by adding the radius of the circle 140 of Fig. 6 to thedistance E of such figure. The hole 112 is then bored with the propersized drill for the thumb hole 112. v To drill the hole 116, the

cradle 60 is pivoted forwardly to set the distance I on the scale 68.The distance I is equal to the distance G of Fig. 7 minus the distance Bof Fig. 6 minus the radius of circle 146 of Fig. 6 plus the radius ofcircle 152 of Fig. 6. The cradle 30 is then pivoted to the left to setthe distance K on the scale 44. The distance K is equal to the distanceC of Fig. 6 plus the radius of 7 circle 152. The hole 116 is then boredwith a proper sized drillfor the third finger of the bowlers right hand.The distances G, H, I, J, and K of Fig. 7 thus locate the centers of theholes 112, 114 and 116 on the outer surface of'the bowling ball, itbeing understood that these distances are measured on great circles ofthe ball at right angles to each other. The holes may be bored in anydesired order and for bowlers using the left hand or a different numberof fingers and in all cases, the positions of the pivotal axes of thecradles 30 and 60 predetermine the correct angles for the various fingerreceiving holes.

While 'I have described thepreferred embodiment of my invention, it isto be understood that the details thereof may be varied and that thescope of the invention is to be determined'by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A jig for boring finger holes in bowling balls which comprises aframe a first cradle supported in said frame for pivotal movement abouta first axis, a second cradle supported in said first cradle for pivotalmovement about asecond axis at right angles to said first axis, meansfor securing a bowing ball in said second cradle with the upper surfacethereof exposed and in a position in which one of said axes passesthrough the center of said ball, the other of said axes being below andspaced from said one axis a distance substantially equal to the radiusof said ball, means for holding said first cradle in adjusted pivotalpositions in said frame about said first axis and means for holding saidsecond cradle in adjusted pivotal positions in said first cradle aboutsaid second axis. 2. A jig for boring finger holes in bowling ballswhich comprises a frame a first cradle supported in said frame forpivotal movement about a first axis, a second cradle supported in saidfirst cradle for pivotal movement about a second axis at right angles tosaid first axis, means for securing a bowling ball in said second cradlewith the upper surface thereof exposed and in a position in which saidsecond axis passes through the center of said ball, said first axisbeing below said second axis and spaced therefrom a distance equal tothe radius of said ball, means for holding said first cradle in adjustedpivotal positions insaid frame about said first axis and means forholding said secondscradle in adjusted pivotal positions in said firstcradle aboutsaid second axis.

3. A jigfor boring finger holes in bowling balls which comprises aframea first cradle supported in said frame for pivotal movement about afirst axis, a second cradle supportedin said first cradlefor pivotalmovement about a second axis at right angles to saidfirst axis, meansfor securing a bowling ball in said second cradle with the upper surfacethereof exposed and in a position in which said second axis passesthrough the center of said ball, saidfirst axis being spaced below saidsecond axis and being tangentto the surface of said ball at itslowermost point, means for holding said first cradle in an adjustedpivotal position in said frame about said first axis and means forholding said second cradle in adjusted pivotal position about saidsecond axis in said first cradle.

4. A jig for boring finger holes in bowing balls which comprises a,frame a first cradle supported in said frame for pivotal movement abouta first axis, a second cradle supported in said first cradle for pivotalmovement about a second axis at right angles to said first axis, meansfor securing a bowling ball in said second cradle with the upper surfacethereof exposed and in a position in which said second axis passesthrough the center of said ball, said first axis being spaced below saidsecond axis and being tangent to the surface of said ball at itslowermost point, means for holding said first cradle in adjustedposition in said frame with respect to pivotal movement about said firstaxis, means for holding said second cradle in adjusted position in saidfirst cradle with respect to pivotal movement about said second axis,scale means for indicating the pivotal position of said first cradlewith respect to said frame and scale means for indicating the pivotalposition of said second cradle with respect to said first cradle.

5 A jig for boring finger holes in bowling balls which comprises a framea first cradle supported in said frame for pivotal movement about afirst axis, a second cradle supported in said first cardle for pivotalmovement about a second axis at right angles to said first axis, meansfor securing a bowling ball in said second cradle with the upper surfacethereof exposed and in a position in which said second axis passesthrough the center of said ball, said first axis being below and spacedfrom said second axis a distance equal to the radius of said ball andbeing tangent to the surface of said ball at its lowermost point, meansfor holding said first cradle in adjusted positions in said frame withrespect to pivotal movement about said first axis and means for holdingsaid second cradle in adjusted positions in said first cradle withrespect to pivotal movement about said second axis, scale means forindicating the pivotal position of said first cradle with respect tosaid frame and scale means for indicating pivotal position of saidsecond cradle with respect to said first cradle.

6. A jig for boring finger holes in bowling balls which comprises aframe a first cradle supported in said frame for pivotal movement abouta first axis, a second cradle supported in said first cradle for pivotalmovement about a second axis at right angles to said first axis, meansfor securing a bowling ball in said second cradle with the upper surfacethereof exposed said means including a bottom portion of said secondcradle fitting the lower portion of said ball and an upper removableclamping plate having an aperture therein of smaller diameter than saidball, said clamping means holding said ball in said second cradle in aposition in which said second axis passes through the center of saidball, said first axis being spaced below said second axis and beingtangent to the surface of said ball at .its lowermost point, means forholdingsaid first cradle in adjusted positions in said frame withrespect to pivotal movement about said first axis and means for holdingsaid second cradle in adjusted positions in said first cradle withrespect to pivotal move ment about said second axis.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,269,946 Lange Jan. 13, 1942 2,643,557 Grove June 30, 1953

